Yaldhurst trainers Derek and Adele Jones continued to enjoy success with their harness racing team after Kiss The Girls (Terror to love) was a very impressive winner in the Cavalier Trotting Products Akaroa Cup in Motukarara yesterday.
In what were dramatic events before the race got underway – with two false starts and the late scratching of Ted’s Legacy that injured his trainer and driver Jim Curtin – Kiss The Girls made two flyers of those false starts before scrambling away when it mattered to put six back on the fence. Driver Kimberley Butt then sat patiently as the meters ticked by before heading to zero at the top of the straight and producing a barnstorming rush to take out pacemaker Still Rockin.
Co-trainer Adele Jones couldn’t be happier with the outcome.
“It was great. We actually didn’t think we would have won!” Jones said.
“At home he starts like a rocket. Derek said to Kim, if he bounces away, just push him through and he’ll come down. She couldn’t pull him up after the false starts – so he probably ran 3,200 metres.”
The win was the eight-year-old gelding’s seventh career victory and his second on the track following his win at the 2020 Akaroa meeting.
“He worked all over the house at home.”
KISS THE GIRLS REPEAT
It was Kiss The Girls’ third run in this campaign, with an unfortunate new run and failure to deal with the swamp at Methven last week. Jones was a little unsure of how things would go yesterday.
“Last week he couldn’t handle the track at all. But they needed the run. I was a little unsure about the start, but Derek said everything would be fine and it was!”
Kiss The Girls was bred by Derek, Adele and their daughter Chelsea, all of whom remain jointly owned with Cath Ironside.
“We all owned George’s (Kiss The Girls) mother Duarunner. We sent her to Terror To Love, and we gave Cath Ironside a share – she helps us a lot!”
Kiss The Girls’ racing career was jeopardized a few years ago when he was injured, making yesterday’s win very satisfying considering his previous victory was in May 2022.
“He broke a splint bone. It set him straight back and it took him a long time to get his confidence back. We only used him as a GP (galloping pacemaker). He didn’t like being on holiday so we brought him back as soon as he was right. He loves galloping and trying to beat Eurostyle at work. He just loves the work.”
So far, this is the Jones’ best season ever, with eight winners so far.
“We have some really nice horses around us at the moment. Lavra Rose was a bit of a surprise. She is a typical Bettor’s Delight who will grow a leg on race day. (We also have) Muscle Sass, Eurostyle and a young two-year-old trotter who should be going to the trials or training this week or next.”
Kiss The Girls gave Kimberly Butt a double on the day and her other win was To Ri Ruby in a Fresh State for Simon Adlam. The driver-trainer combo of Mia Holbrough and Bruce Negus also had a double (Mouton Cadet and Folijon Star), while Blair Orange also took a driving double (Tribbiani and Quicker Than Quick).
For full race results, click here.
Through Mike Lovefor Harness Racing New Zealand
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